A Potter Secret

Memories

"A man has died here. And he won't be the last, you must take action," Dumbledore demands.

"I will not. In times like these the wizard world looks to its leaders for strength Dumbledore," Fudge argues.

"Then for once show them some," Dumbledore states.

"The tri-wizard tournament will not be cancelled. I will not be seen as a coward," Fudge insists.

"But surely that is what's right, no matter what others think."

"What did you say? What did you say to me?" Fudge asks.

"Excuse me gentlemen, it may interest you to know that this conversation is no longer private," Mad-eye says. Mad-Eye points to the door. Harry enters.

"Harry! Harry how good to see you again," Fudge cheers.

"I can come back later Professor," Harry says.

"Oh not necessary Harry the minister and I are done. I'll be back in a moment. Minister, after you. Harry do feel free to indulge in a liquorice snack in my absence, but I have to warn you they're a little bit sharp," Dumbledore smiles. Harry is left alone in the room. He puts his hand in the snackbowl and takes a handful. It turns into a small creature which nips at his hand.

"Agh!" Harry cries. A compartment in the wall opens, there's a glowing blue pool of water there. He looks in. He falls and lands in another time and place. It's a courtroom, the walls have a red glow. Dumbledore is seated next to where Harry is.

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Harry suddenly falls into a courtroom next to Dumbledore. "Professor?" Harry asks.

The man seated next to Dumbledore speaks. "Professor," the man greets.

Dumbledore and the man shake hands. Their handshake goes through Harry's body, he appears to be some kind of ghost with no presence. Proceedings begin, a cage is raised from inside the floor. "Igor Karkaroff, you have been brought from Azkaban at your own request to present evidence to this counsel," Barty Crouch Senior starts. "Should your testimony prove consequential. Counsel may be prepared to order your immediate release. Until such time you remain in the eyes of the ministry a convicted death eater. Do you accept these terms?"

"I do sir," Igor says.

"What do you wish to present?" Barty opens the floor.

"I have names sir. There was a Rosier, Evan Rosier," Igor lists.

"Mr. Rosier is dead."

"Dead?" Igor gasps.

Mad-eye smiles to Dumbledore. "Yeah took a piece of me with him though didn't he." Mad-Eye points to his mechanical eye.

"I didn't know," Igor replies.

"If that is all the witness has to offer-" Barty starts.

"No! No! There was Rookwood, he was a spy," Igor interrupts.

"Augustus Rookwood? Of the department of ministries," Barty checks.

"Ya ya, the same. He passed information to you know who from inside the ministry itself."

"Very well. Counsel will deliberate. In the meantime you will be returned to Azkaban."

"NO! WAIT! PLEASE! I have more. Snape, Severus Snape," Igor continues.

Dumbledore stands up immediately. "The counsel is very much aware you have given evidence on this matter. Severus Snape was indeed a death eater and prior to Lord Voldemort's downfall turned spy for us at great personal risk. Today he's no more a death eater than I am."

Igor protests loudly. "It's a lie! Severus Snape remains faithful to the dark lord," Igor insists.

"Silence!" Barty cries. Barty hits the gavel repeatedly. "Unless the witness possesses any name of genuine consequence this session is now concluded."

"Oh no no no no no. I heard about one more," Igor laughs.

"What's that?" Barty asks.

"The name."

"Yes?"

Barty Crouch Junior starts to leave the courtroom. "I know for a fact this person took part in the capture, and by means of the cruciatus curse, torture of the auror Frank Longbottom and-"

"The name! Give me the wretched name!" Barty demands.

"Barty Crouch!" Igor shouts. Everyone gasps and looks at the Senior. "Junior," Igor finishes.

Barty Crouch junior begins to run. Mad-Eye zaps him with magic, he falls into the center of the court. The crowd is in uproar. Guards seize Barty junior. "Get your hands off me you pathetic little men. Hello father," Junior smirks.

"You are no son of mine," Senior replies.

"GAHHHH!"

Harry steps out of the blue pool and we're back in the darkened room. "Curiosity's not a sin Harry, but you should exercise caution," Dumbledore says. "It's a pensieve, useful if like me you find your mind a wee bit stretched. It allows me to see what small things I've already seen. You see Harry I've searched and searched for something, some small detail. Something I might have overlooked, something that would explain why these terrible things have happened. Every time I get close to an answer it slips away, it's maddening."

"Sir, Mr Crouch's son, what happened to him?" Harry asks.

"He was sent to Azkaban. Destroyed Barty to do it. But he had no choice, the evidence was overwhelming. Why do you ask?" Dumbledore replies.

"It's just that I had a dream about him," Harry explains. "It was in the summer, before school. In the dream I was in a house and Voldemort was there only he wasn't quite human, and Wormtail was there too and Mr Crouch's son."

"Have there been other dreams like this?" Dumbledore asks.

"Yes. Always the same one. Sir- these dreams, what I see, you don't think it's actually happening do you?" Harry inquires.

"I think it's unwise for you to linger over these dreams Harry, I think it's best that you simply." Dumbledore puts up his wand and pulls a quivering string of magic out from his head. "Cast them away."

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Harry is walking along, we hear raised voices from inside the herbs store. "It's a sign Severus, you know what it means as well as I," Igor says.

The door opens and they see Harry. He looks at them. Igor leaves. "Potter! What's your hurry? Congratulations, your performance in the black lake was inspiring. Gilliweed, am I correct?" Severus asks.

"Yes sir," Harry replies.

"Ingenious. A rather rare herb gilliweed, not something found in your every day garden. Nor is this, know what it is?" Severus continues.

"Bubble juice sir?" Harry guesses, sarcastically.

"Veritaserum. Three drops of this and you-know-who himself will spill his darkest secrets. The use of this on a student is regrettably forbidden, however should you ever steal from my personal stores again, my hand might just slip over your morning pumpkin juice," Severus threatens.

"I haven't stolen anything," Harry assures.

"Don't lie to me. Gilliweed might be innocuous, but boomslang skin? Lacewing flies? You and your friends are brewing polyjuice potion and believe me I'm going to find out why!" Severus closes the door in Harry's face.

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nS2.